01/18/2017

Review, Interview and Giveaway: The Barefoot Summer by Carolyn Brown

(The view from my back deck)

Howdy all! How is winter treating you? We have had another rough winter here in Portland, Oregon. Last year, it was epic rain, and this year we have been treated to lots of snow and ice. We had a record setting snowstorm last week, which the weather forecasters completely under predicted. We received over a foot of snow in less than twenty four hours. Now I know that many of you are scoffing at a foot of snow, I do too sometimes because I grew up in Idaho, and a foot of snow is nothing. However, when you live in a city that doesn't get a lot of snow, for instance, last year we received 1.3 inches of snow, a foot all at once is a big deal. It shuts down the city. Anyway, with all the snow days, I found plenty of time to cuddle up with some comfort reads. One of those was: The Barefoot Summer by Carolyn Brown. This was an entertaining book that featured three women who find that they were all married to the same no good man who suddenly died. Needless to say, hackles are raised and the nails are out, but then something changes.......This was a book about unexpected friendship born during trying circumstances. I loved it.

I am pleased to be able to welcome Ms. Carolyn Brown back to the blog. Carolyn is a regular here, but it has been awhile since I hosted her. So let's get to it!

Howdy, Ms. Carolyn! It is a pleasure to have you back here on Rainy Day Ramblings. It has been far too long since we have had a visit from you. So let's pull up a chair, grab some sweet tea and have a visit about your latest book, Barefoot Summer.

Hello to everyone. I’ve got sweet tea and cookies in my hands and I’m ready to talk about my newest release The Barefoot Summer. It hit the shelves on January 3 and I’ve been talking about it to everyone who’ll stand still and listen. Don’t you just love, love that cover?

Three women. One Husband. And none of them had any idea about the other two until they all showed up at his funeral.Leaving one widow behind is unfortunate. Leaving three widows behind is just plain despicable. Oil heiress Kate Steele knew her not-so-dearly departed husband was a con man, but she’s shocked that Conrad racked up two more wives without divorcing her first. The only remnant of their miserable marriage she plans to keep is their lakeside cabin in Bootleg, Texas. Unfortunately, she’s not the only woman with that idea.Fiery, strong-willed Jamie wishes Conrad were still alive—so she could kill the scoundrel herself. But for their daughter’s sake, she needs that property. As does Amanda—twenty-eight, pregnant, and still weeping over the loss of her true love. On a broiling July day, all three arrive in Bootleg…with a dogged detective right behind who’s convinced that at least one of them conspired to commit murder. One momentous summer filled with revelations, quirky neighbors, and barefoot evenings on the porch offers three women the chance to make the journey from enemies to friends, and claim a bright, new beginning.

If you suddenly found yourself in one of the three ladies' shoes, what would you do?

Like Jamie, the second wife, I would wish he wasn’t dead so I could get my little pink pistol out of the pretty purple satin draw string bag I keep it in and shoot him.

Amongst the three, Kate, Jaime or Amanda who did you relate to the most?

At different times I related to all of the ladies. Kate at first and then Jamie and when Amanda faced reality, she and I bonded. I loved them all.

Was there anything that inspired the tale of the three women?

A little personal story here and why I dedicated this book in memory of my mother. She was my father’s first wife—as near as we can figure he married about nine more times after they separated and had children to two other women who he did not marry. And to this day we can’t find a decree where he divorced my mother. The truth is sometimes much stranger than fiction.

What other books are on the horizon from you this year?

This is going to be a busy year in my world. The 2017 lineup looks like this:

Wow! Carolyn, you are one busy lady. I am looking forward to reading a heap your books.

What books are you looking forward to reading the most in 2017?

My package of RITA books that I’ll judge for that contest should be arriving any day now and I’m very excited to see what surprises are in there!

Finally, what is a word that you have chosen to inspire you for 2017? Mine is Hope.

Determination! Determination to be a better person, a better writer and to meet every single deadline.

Thanks so much, Carolyn for stopping by. I am always delighted to read your books and have you take time to visit here on the blog. Your books are comfort reading, and they certainly helped me through my grief last year. Thanks, Carolyn! Hugs!

And now I’m all misty eyed. If my books have helped you then my whole year was a success! Thank you for all that you do for authors. We love you, Miz Heidi!Now tell me folks, what would you do if you found out your husband was married to two other women?

A huge thanks to Carolyn for taking the time to stop by today! I am thrilled to be able to offer a chance to win a copy of this book. For one lucky reader, I have an Advanced Reader's copy of Barefoot Summer up for grabs.

New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown returns with a heartbreakingly hilarious novel about three women who had nothing in common, except their husband.Leaving one widow behind is unfortunate. Leaving three widows behind is just plain despicable. Oil heiress Kate Steele knew her not-so-dearly departed husband was a con man, but she’s shocked that Conrad racked up two more wives without divorcing her first. The only remnant of their miserable marriage she plans to keep is their lakeside cabin in Bootleg, Texas. Unfortunately, she’s not the only woman with that idea.Fiery, strong-willed Jamie wishes Conrad were still alive—so she could kill the scoundrel herself. But for their daughter’s sake, she needs that property. As does Amanda—twenty-eight, pregnant, and still weeping over the loss of her true love. On a broiling July day, all three arrive in Bootleg…with a dogged detective right behind who’s convinced that at least one of them conspired to commit murder. One momentous summer filled with revelations, quirky neighbors, and barefoot evenings on the porch offers three women the chance to make the journey from enemies to friends, and claim a bright, new beginning.Kindle Edition, 289 pagesPublished January 3rd 2017 by Montlake RomanceSource: Publisher

Four stars: A delightful and heart warming story that starts out a bit prickly when three widows learn they were all married at the same time to a con man.

Kate Steele can't stand one more moment in the broiling heat. To make matters worse, she is attending the funeral of her deceased husband, who was unexpectedly murdered. Kate feels nothing for the man she was married to for fourteen years. He was despicable and she is glad to be rid of him, but she quickly finds out he isn't going away anytime soon. Kate is shocked to find that her dead husband had two other wives: Amanda and Jamie. Jamie is a fiery gal with a six year old daughter, who wishes Conrad was alive so she could strangle him herself when she learns the truth. Amanda, on the other hand, is a sobbing mess. Pregnant and twenty eight, she is convinced there was a mistake because her precious Conrad loved her. The three woman then find themselves all sharing the same roof. Will sparks fly or will they make peace with their situation?

What I Liked:

The Barefoot Summer is a departure for Carolyn Brown, but a delightful one for sure. This is a humorous and heart warming story about three women who learn they were all conned by and married to the same despicable and now deceased man. Sparks fly, secrets are spilled, followed by sunshine days and a sisterhood. I loved seeing the friendships form and the new beginnings for each woman.

I enjoyed the diversity of characters. Kate, the first wife, is wealthy, beautiful, a career driven woman who has no time for vacations and frivolity. Jaime is a firecracker, who is determined to protect her daughter at all costs. Amanda, is naive and hormonal, but she grows on you. Add in Victor and Hazel, the charming elderly neighbors who have been life long friends, as well as one determined detective and you have an entertaining and eclectic bunch of people who entertain you throughout.

I loved that despite the trying circumstances and the hardship, that each woman found her peace and a new path. Their journeys are all different, but each was interesting to watch. I can't decide who grew and changed the most: Kate or Amanda. Needless to say, I loved watching them all blossom.

Victor and Hazel are absolutely charming. They are two elderly citizens of Bootleg, who take an interest in the three women. They have been life long friends, but never dated, and they have a standing date on the Ferris Wheel every year. I loved these two, they added heart and charm to the story.

I throughly enjoyed the small town setting of Bootleg. I was expecting a town full of whispers and gossip, but was pleasantly surprised by the goodwill and kindness all the townsfolk extended to the trio. No ugliness, backbiting or gossip in this town. I was ready to pack up and go spend a lazy day on the lake in Bootleg myself after reading this one. This is the perfect escape read, especially in winter.

There is a bit of romance as well. It was simple and subtle, and just right.

The ending was delightful. I loved the Epilogue one year down the road, and I was surprised by some of the outcomes. It was perfect.

And The Not So Much:

Amanda was trying early on. She is hormonal, naive and crying all the time. I was irritated with her at first, but thankfully, she wakes up and realizes the truth. After that, I enjoyed her much more. She requires some patience, but she is worth the time and effort.

I was disappointed that there wasn't movement with the relationship between Kate and her mother. Not a big deal, but I wished her mother had been more understanding.

Even though I loved seeing how the girls had fared one year ahead, I was sad that I didn't get to experience some of the highlights, especially when it came to the romances. I wish that we could have gotten three books, one from each girl's point of view.

The Barefoot Summer is an entertaining and delightful tale that follows three women who unexpectedly are thrown together by a con man. I loved watching the ladies blossom and grow and form a sisterhood. This is a perfect escape book for winter or any time of the year. Good old fashioned comfort reading. Don't miss this!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.

About the Author:

Carolyn Brown is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author and a RITA finalist. Her books include historical, contemporary, cowboys and country music mass market paperbacks. Born in Texas and raised in Oklahoma, she refers to herself as a Tex-Okie. She and her husband live in Davis, Oklahoma. They have three grown children and enough grandchildren to keep them young. Find Carolyn on her website,Facebook, and Goodreads.

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Review, Interview and Giveaway: The Barefoot Summer by Carolyn Brown

(The view from my back deck)

Howdy all! How is winter treating you? We have had another rough winter here in Portland, Oregon. Last year, it was epic rain, and this year we have been treated to lots of snow and ice. We had a record setting snowstorm last week, which the weather forecasters completely under predicted. We received over a foot of snow in less than twenty four hours. Now I know that many of you are scoffing at a foot of snow, I do too sometimes because I grew up in Idaho, and a foot of snow is nothing. However, when you live in a city that doesn't get a lot of snow, for instance, last year we received 1.3 inches of snow, a foot all at once is a big deal. It shuts down the city. Anyway, with all the snow days, I found plenty of time to cuddle up with some comfort reads. One of those was: The Barefoot Summer by Carolyn Brown. This was an entertaining book that featured three women who find that they were all married to the same no good man who suddenly died. Needless to say, hackles are raised and the nails are out, but then something changes.......This was a book about unexpected friendship born during trying circumstances. I loved it.

I am pleased to be able to welcome Ms. Carolyn Brown back to the blog. Carolyn is a regular here, but it has been awhile since I hosted her. So let's get to it!

Howdy, Ms. Carolyn! It is a pleasure to have you back here on Rainy Day Ramblings. It has been far too long since we have had a visit from you. So let's pull up a chair, grab some sweet tea and have a visit about your latest book, Barefoot Summer.

Hello to everyone. I’ve got sweet tea and cookies in my hands and I’m ready to talk about my newest release The Barefoot Summer. It hit the shelves on January 3 and I’ve been talking about it to everyone who’ll stand still and listen. Don’t you just love, love that cover?

Three women. One Husband. And none of them had any idea about the other two until they all showed up at his funeral.Leaving one widow behind is unfortunate. Leaving three widows behind is just plain despicable. Oil heiress Kate Steele knew her not-so-dearly departed husband was a con man, but she’s shocked that Conrad racked up two more wives without divorcing her first. The only remnant of their miserable marriage she plans to keep is their lakeside cabin in Bootleg, Texas. Unfortunately, she’s not the only woman with that idea.Fiery, strong-willed Jamie wishes Conrad were still alive—so she could kill the scoundrel herself. But for their daughter’s sake, she needs that property. As does Amanda—twenty-eight, pregnant, and still weeping over the loss of her true love. On a broiling July day, all three arrive in Bootleg…with a dogged detective right behind who’s convinced that at least one of them conspired to commit murder. One momentous summer filled with revelations, quirky neighbors, and barefoot evenings on the porch offers three women the chance to make the journey from enemies to friends, and claim a bright, new beginning.

If you suddenly found yourself in one of the three ladies' shoes, what would you do?

Like Jamie, the second wife, I would wish he wasn’t dead so I could get my little pink pistol out of the pretty purple satin draw string bag I keep it in and shoot him.

Amongst the three, Kate, Jaime or Amanda who did you relate to the most?

At different times I related to all of the ladies. Kate at first and then Jamie and when Amanda faced reality, she and I bonded. I loved them all.

Was there anything that inspired the tale of the three women?

A little personal story here and why I dedicated this book in memory of my mother. She was my father’s first wife—as near as we can figure he married about nine more times after they separated and had children to two other women who he did not marry. And to this day we can’t find a decree where he divorced my mother. The truth is sometimes much stranger than fiction.

What other books are on the horizon from you this year?

This is going to be a busy year in my world. The 2017 lineup looks like this:

Wow! Carolyn, you are one busy lady. I am looking forward to reading a heap your books.

What books are you looking forward to reading the most in 2017?

My package of RITA books that I’ll judge for that contest should be arriving any day now and I’m very excited to see what surprises are in there!

Finally, what is a word that you have chosen to inspire you for 2017? Mine is Hope.

Determination! Determination to be a better person, a better writer and to meet every single deadline.

Thanks so much, Carolyn for stopping by. I am always delighted to read your books and have you take time to visit here on the blog. Your books are comfort reading, and they certainly helped me through my grief last year. Thanks, Carolyn! Hugs!

And now I’m all misty eyed. If my books have helped you then my whole year was a success! Thank you for all that you do for authors. We love you, Miz Heidi!Now tell me folks, what would you do if you found out your husband was married to two other women?

A huge thanks to Carolyn for taking the time to stop by today! I am thrilled to be able to offer a chance to win a copy of this book. For one lucky reader, I have an Advanced Reader's copy of Barefoot Summer up for grabs.

New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown returns with a heartbreakingly hilarious novel about three women who had nothing in common, except their husband.Leaving one widow behind is unfortunate. Leaving three widows behind is just plain despicable. Oil heiress Kate Steele knew her not-so-dearly departed husband was a con man, but she’s shocked that Conrad racked up two more wives without divorcing her first. The only remnant of their miserable marriage she plans to keep is their lakeside cabin in Bootleg, Texas. Unfortunately, she’s not the only woman with that idea.Fiery, strong-willed Jamie wishes Conrad were still alive—so she could kill the scoundrel herself. But for their daughter’s sake, she needs that property. As does Amanda—twenty-eight, pregnant, and still weeping over the loss of her true love. On a broiling July day, all three arrive in Bootleg…with a dogged detective right behind who’s convinced that at least one of them conspired to commit murder. One momentous summer filled with revelations, quirky neighbors, and barefoot evenings on the porch offers three women the chance to make the journey from enemies to friends, and claim a bright, new beginning.Kindle Edition, 289 pagesPublished January 3rd 2017 by Montlake RomanceSource: Publisher

Four stars: A delightful and heart warming story that starts out a bit prickly when three widows learn they were all married at the same time to a con man.

Kate Steele can't stand one more moment in the broiling heat. To make matters worse, she is attending the funeral of her deceased husband, who was unexpectedly murdered. Kate feels nothing for the man she was married to for fourteen years. He was despicable and she is glad to be rid of him, but she quickly finds out he isn't going away anytime soon. Kate is shocked to find that her dead husband had two other wives: Amanda and Jamie. Jamie is a fiery gal with a six year old daughter, who wishes Conrad was alive so she could strangle him herself when she learns the truth. Amanda, on the other hand, is a sobbing mess. Pregnant and twenty eight, she is convinced there was a mistake because her precious Conrad loved her. The three woman then find themselves all sharing the same roof. Will sparks fly or will they make peace with their situation?

What I Liked:

The Barefoot Summer is a departure for Carolyn Brown, but a delightful one for sure. This is a humorous and heart warming story about three women who learn they were all conned by and married to the same despicable and now deceased man. Sparks fly, secrets are spilled, followed by sunshine days and a sisterhood. I loved seeing the friendships form and the new beginnings for each woman.

I enjoyed the diversity of characters. Kate, the first wife, is wealthy, beautiful, a career driven woman who has no time for vacations and frivolity. Jaime is a firecracker, who is determined to protect her daughter at all costs. Amanda, is naive and hormonal, but she grows on you. Add in Victor and Hazel, the charming elderly neighbors who have been life long friends, as well as one determined detective and you have an entertaining and eclectic bunch of people who entertain you throughout.

I loved that despite the trying circumstances and the hardship, that each woman found her peace and a new path. Their journeys are all different, but each was interesting to watch. I can't decide who grew and changed the most: Kate or Amanda. Needless to say, I loved watching them all blossom.

Victor and Hazel are absolutely charming. They are two elderly citizens of Bootleg, who take an interest in the three women. They have been life long friends, but never dated, and they have a standing date on the Ferris Wheel every year. I loved these two, they added heart and charm to the story.

I throughly enjoyed the small town setting of Bootleg. I was expecting a town full of whispers and gossip, but was pleasantly surprised by the goodwill and kindness all the townsfolk extended to the trio. No ugliness, backbiting or gossip in this town. I was ready to pack up and go spend a lazy day on the lake in Bootleg myself after reading this one. This is the perfect escape read, especially in winter.

There is a bit of romance as well. It was simple and subtle, and just right.

The ending was delightful. I loved the Epilogue one year down the road, and I was surprised by some of the outcomes. It was perfect.

And The Not So Much:

Amanda was trying early on. She is hormonal, naive and crying all the time. I was irritated with her at first, but thankfully, she wakes up and realizes the truth. After that, I enjoyed her much more. She requires some patience, but she is worth the time and effort.

I was disappointed that there wasn't movement with the relationship between Kate and her mother. Not a big deal, but I wished her mother had been more understanding.

Even though I loved seeing how the girls had fared one year ahead, I was sad that I didn't get to experience some of the highlights, especially when it came to the romances. I wish that we could have gotten three books, one from each girl's point of view.

The Barefoot Summer is an entertaining and delightful tale that follows three women who unexpectedly are thrown together by a con man. I loved watching the ladies blossom and grow and form a sisterhood. This is a perfect escape book for winter or any time of the year. Good old fashioned comfort reading. Don't miss this!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.

About the Author:

Carolyn Brown is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author and a RITA finalist. Her books include historical, contemporary, cowboys and country music mass market paperbacks. Born in Texas and raised in Oklahoma, she refers to herself as a Tex-Okie. She and her husband live in Davis, Oklahoma. They have three grown children and enough grandchildren to keep them young. Find Carolyn on her website,Facebook, and Goodreads.